Poke Yoke – What’s It All About?

Poka Yoke, translated, means “mistake proof.” Shigeo Shingo, an engineer working for Toyota, conceptualized this methodology. It became accepted practice within the Toyota Production System. This was another example of continual improvement through small changes implemented within a system. These types of improvements speed up processes and reduce waste. Many businesses and organizations use poke yoke without giving it a name, but the result is the same. In our daily lives, poke yoke has been applied to many things we use or do.

That’s where this infographic comes in. Using bright colors, humorous illustrations, and simple, descriptive text, we explore just a few of the ways poke yoke has been applied to common equipment and devices. Take a look at this infographic and think about the things you use. Have they been mistake proofed?